If, for some reason, you need a copy of your 1040 for last year, don’t go online to request a (free) transcript, which they’ll promise to get to you in 5 or so business days, but won’t happen.

Instead, bike to your downtown IRS office, and they will print out one right then (free). At this time of year, even in a major city, you’ll likely be the only customer, and the counter-person, as lonely as the Magtag man (or woman), will be glad to see you.

If you do bike there, be forewarned that security has been increased to the level of airports and that your tool pouch (for roadside emergency repairs) wont’ be recognized by the persons operating the scanners (there will be a team of two of them) for what it is. But they aren’t cyclists, and that’s to be expected.

But in five minutes, you’ll be in and out with the info you need instead of waiting for the mail to arrive, which won’t happen very quickly. And side benefit of getting the transcript in person is that you’ll have had a good ride.

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